Epidemic prone diseases remain to be serious public health threats to Mem- ber States in the African region. In response to these threats, Member States through the adoption and implementation of the Integrated Diseases Surveil- lance and Response Strategy and the International Health Regulations, con- tinue to strengthen their public health emergency response systems and struc- tures. In this issue, a summary of acute public health events that occurred dur- ing the course of 2014 is provided

This Indicator Report provides a monthly snapshot of the regional response to the South Sudan Situation. The indicators included report on the Post 15 December 2013 South Sudan caseload only. The report is prepared through collaboration with the reporting country and the Regional Support Hub, Nairobi.

The notes below provide further contextual information on various sector indicators:

14 October, Kampala – A half-day meeting of ministers in-charge of Karamoja Cluster affairs from Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda that convened in Kampala’s Munynyo Commonwealth resort today concluded with the launch of an annual ministerial forum as well as a collective commitment on harmonizing peace, security and development initiatives across the Cluster.

One year since armed conflict broke out in South Sudan, almost 5 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. More than 1.4 million people are internally displaced and almost 480,000 South Sudanese have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

As at 31st December 2014, Kakuma had received 45,627 asylum seekers from South Sudan. This brings the total camp population to 179,396. As at 31st December 178,079 refugees had been registered by UNHCR and DRA, with South Sudanese making up 49.4% of the registered population.

December 2014 Kenya is currently hosting some 574 000 refugees and asylum seekers, a number which continues to grow rapidly due to the refugee influx from South Sudan.

On 5 November 2014, WFP, together with UNHCR, formally informed the donor community that a 50% rations' cut would take place from the second distribution cycle in November and would be likely to last until the end of January 2015.

Dorcas takes action to help people in need and deep poverty irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, gender or political convictions. Inspired by Matthew 25:31-46 to care for the poor and oppressed, Dorcas has been working for 35 years to provide relief and development projects in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. For this it can count on the enthusiasm of thousands of volunteers, entrepreneurs and donors in the Netherlands.

Caritas aims to reduce the incidence and impact of poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world. There is no single solution to poverty and it can take many forms. Each response must be context-specific and often multifaceted. Caritas’ approach places people at the centre of development and seeks the good of every person and the whole person. It is community based, and recognises the importance of family and community in a person’s life.

In West Africa, markets were well supplied with staple foods in November as regional harvests progressed. Staple food prices were stable or declining, except in areas directly and indirectly affected by the conflict in northeastern Nigeria. The Ebola outbreak has led to both official and voluntary restrictions on the movement of goods and people in affected Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, resulting in atypical market trends in some areas.